Physician Scientist & Epileptologist

P﻿rofessor Ingrid Scheffer AO FAA FAHMS is a paediatric neurologist and professor at the University of Melbourne and Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. Professor Scheffer is helping to transform the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, a brain disorder characterized by seizures and other symptoms that can be extremely disruptive to the lives of the 50 million people affected by it. She has described several new forms of epilepsy and her research group was the first to uncover a gene for epilepsy and subsequently, many of the genes now known to be implicated. These revolutionary findings, which have already improved diagnosis and treatments for many patients and may lead to the development of new therapies, can also be used for genetic counselling. Professor Scheffer’s goal is to ‘make a major difference to patients and families through science’. Professor Scheffer is a founding fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and currently its Vice-President.﻿

Professor Scheffer leads new ILAE Classification of the Epilepsies

Professor Scheffer is the lead author on the International League Against Epilepsy's revised Classification of the Epilepsies 2017, the first update to the classification of the epilepsies since 1989. This classification is the culmination of Prof Scheffer's tenure as Chair of the ILAE Commission on Classification. You can read the new classification here, read about it in The Age or in Pursuit, and hear Professor Scheffer interviewed by Dr Norman Swan here or with Red Symons below. ​

Professor Scheffer interviewed by Red Symonds on the ABC about the new ILAE Classification of the Epilepsies

Professor Scheffer a key leader of trial of cannibidiol in Dravet Syndrome

Professor Scheffer was one of the key leaders involved in a world-first trial to test the efficacy of cannibidiol for treatment-resistant sufferers of Dravet Syndrome, published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Read more about the trial on Pursuit or the ABC, or read the original paper here.

Professor Scheffer excited to launch Australian-first trial of synthetic cannabis for children with refractory epilepsy

Premier of Victoria, The Hon Daniel Andrews MP, and state Health Minister The Hon Jill Hennessy MP, visited Austin Health on February 3 2016 to launch a clinical trial of medical cannabis in children with severe refractory epilepsy, led by Professor Scheffer. The launch of the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of synthetic cannabis was covered in The Age, ABC online, The Guardian, Sky News, SBS​ & Channels 7, 9 & 10.

The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences was launched in Canberra on March 25 2015, in order to promote health and medical research and its translation to enable a healthier community in Australia and the World. The Academy, of which Professor Scheffer is the Vice-President, seeks to grow the next generation of leaders of Australian medical research, and was launched by Health Minister Sussan Ley MP. Prof Scheffer is pictured with Minister Ley and President Professor Ian Frazer (left) and with the Academy Council (right).

Professor Scheffer wins 2014 Prime Minister's Prize for Science

﻿Professor Scheffer and Professor Samuel Berkovic AC were together awarded the 2014 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science for their long-standing partnership on cracking the genetics of epilepsy. They have received many separate awards and prizes for their work – but this is the first time they have been recognised together. You can read more about this prestigious prize here and here.

Prof Ingrid Scheffer is named an Ambassador for Epilepsy for 2013, one of the highest awards of the International League Against Epilepsy by President Nico Moshe and Mike Glynn, President of the International Bureau for Epilepsy.

Prof Scheffer featured in a new video from L'Oréal:Science needs Women.

Prof Scheffer featured in her role as a paediatric neurologist in the episode "A Place For Us"

Prof Ingrid Scheffer recognised for her work as Chair of the Commission for Classification and Terminology 2009-2013, with President Nico Moshe and President Elect Emilio Perucca of the International League Against Epilepsy.

Sir Gus Nossal and Prof Ingrid Scheffer at the Jabbed Forum, June 2013

Prof Ingrid Scheffer accepts the L'Oréal-UNESCO award for Women in Science as the Asia-Pacific Laureate in 2012.